Alternatively students can work for an employer (or two). This is the best option for somebody looking for the maximum stability; however, it probably has the least earning potential. It usually has regular work and may even include other benefits like health insurance.

The disadvantage could be fixed hours that are difficult to reconcile with school or other responsibilities. Tell them to look through the job vacancies in your local paper and to ask themselves "How can I use my steno skills to do this job better and/or faster?" Then, when they submit their job application, highlight their special skills and how these would benefit the prospective employer.

Students must not exaggerate their capabilities; while they may not be required to demonstrate their skills before they are appointed, they certainly will after they have started work. When explaining their steno skills some of the points worth highlighting are:

• Speed and particularly the ability to keep up with the fastest of speakers
  
• Endurance with the writer versus that with a conventional keyboard
  
• Online dictionary/ies ensure that the correct spelling is used every time
  
• Ability to add specialist dictionaries to further increase speed and accuracy
  
• Ability to add dictionaries and macros to make use of applications easier
  

They should not expect to be hired just because of their speed. Most employers are looking for a number of skills, and accuracy and layout are also very important. Remind them that their resume is the example of your very best work (or that is what the employer will assume). They should be prepared to talk about their other skills that would benefit a prospective employer.

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